Mandeville homeowner shoots intruder, intruder arrested

A Northshore man is recovering from a gunshot wound and faces charges of assault, kidnapping, and trespassing, after a Mandeville-area homeowner shot him Monday morning.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office says Careyunius Smith was trespassing on property in the 1200 block of Dove Park Road around 9 a.m. Monday when a homeowner confronted him. According to investigators, Smith attacked the homeowner, engaging in a violent struggle. The homeowner called for help, and a second homeowner arrived and warned Smith to back off.

"After refusing the homeowner’s pleas for Smith to stop the attack and release his hold of the first homeowner, the second homeowner retreated, armed himself with a firearm, and returned to the location of the attack, again pleading with Smith to stop," said Lt. Carli Messina with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. "Smith responded by releasing the first homeowner and charging toward the second homeowner, who in fear for his life and the life of the other homeowner, discharged his firearm, striking Smith in the abdomen."

The homeowners called 911 and paramedics took Smith to the hospital. Messina said their investigation showed the homeowner lawfully acted in self-defense.

"I want to thank the patrol deputies who responded to the initial call and the detectives with our Major Crimes Division who worked tirelessly throughout this investigation," Sheriff Randy Smith said.